And breathe. Have you been feeling under pressure lately? Has your load at work increased and you’ve found yourself facing ever-nearing deadlines that threaten to overwhelm you?
It happens to everyone and usually disappears as the deadlines come and go and work starts to resemble something like normal. But when you’re feeling like you’ve had enough and that you need a break, we bring you some great ideas to take your mind off the stresses and strains of life and give yourself some much-needed distraction.
Laugh, a lot
Nothing is going to make you feel better more than a good laugh. Whether that’s binge watching The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt on Netflix or heading on down to your favourite comedy venue, you need some giggles in your life to help shift the serious. Buy comedy tickets with TicketOffices.com or simply ask friends for comedy recommendations for a fun night in.
Breathe in
Of course everyone knows that exercise is amazing for your mental health as well as for your physical well being but if you’ve never experienced the rush of endorphins from pushing through a particularly punishing run, then you should give it a go.
It doesn’t have to be anything as grueling as a run but how about dusting down that rusty old bike in your garage and hitting your local country park or area of outstanding natural beauty for a real blast of fresh air that you can literally feel blowing away the cobwebs.
Not only will you feel better for it mentally, it should also ensure you have a better night’s sleep, something that can of course suffer when you’re feeling stressed.
Communicate
You might not really want to talk about work outside of the office but talking to a good friend or family member who is there with a listening ear can really help. It will also help if your good friend can then distract you in return with a bit of idle gossip or a plan for a great evening out.
But a supportive friend can also check in on you when things do become a bit much and make sure that you’re doing all the basics like eating and staying on top of things at home. There’s no point being a martyr and very often, close friends will feel glad you’ve confided in them.
You might also need to talk to your manager about your workload and what you can and can’t do in the timeframes you’ve been given.
Be different
It might seem like the worst possible timing to take up a new hobby, interest or sport but in fact the distraction from the everyday stresses might be just what you need.
It doesn’t need to be an adrenaline sport, you might want to take up painting or dance or something that helps you feel centred and calm like yoga or meditation. Many people have found real help through mindfulness techniques. While something of a buzzword it can offer a real solution in helping people deal with their emotions and helping you to feel more confident and able to deal with the stress.
If you’re looking for something of a different challenge you might consider taking something that addresses your brain. Why not pick a language or a musical instrument and get yourself some lessons, either in a classroom or online. It’s amazing what you’ll be able to achieve if you put your mind to it.
Of course, if you are thinking of a change in job you might look at taking an online short course that could lead to the qualifications you need to take your career in a whole new and different direction.
Be basic
Just don’t forget the basics of eating and drinking well. Make a commitment to yourself to eat foods that nourish you and make you feel great. Distract yourself with a new cookbook and a trip to your local shops to buy up some great ingredients for an afternoon spent in the kitchen experimenting.
Whatever strain you’re under in life, whether through work or at home you deserve a little space and time to find some rest and relaxation. So carve out some hours to help you restore a little balance, browse through some blogs and distract your overworked brain with a little downtime.
Whether you need a good laugh, some fresh air and exercise or just a listening ear to help get you through, don’t be afraid to put your needs first and do what it takes to feel like yourself again